Saturday, 22 December 2018

Chullin 25: When Status Changes

Today's daf contains three Mishnayot.  The first two are short but the last one is quite long.  

The first Mishna teaches us that that which is ritually pure in wooden vessels is ritually impure in metal vessels.  That which is ritually pure in metal vessels is ritually impure in wooden vessels.

The second Mishna teaches us that regarding the obligation to separate teruma and tithes, the stage of development that is obligated in bitter almonds is exempt in sweet almonds.  The stage of development obligated in sweet almonds is exempt regarding bitter almonds.  

The third Mishna teaches us that temed, a drink made from grape residue soaked and fermented in water, may not be purchased with second-tithe money and consumed in Jerusalem because it is not wine.  Wine is subject to many laws.  If three log of temed falls into a ritual bath, the water has the status of drawn water and thus it is ritually invalid.  Once fermented, timed is considered to be wine.  As wine it may be purchased in Jerusalem and it will not invalidate ritually pure items.  Brothers who inherit from their father as partners are obligated to add the kalbon, premium, to their annual half-shekel payment to the Temple.  They are exempt from the animal tithe.  When they are obliged to separate the animal tithe, they are exempt from adding the premium.  When they pay the half-shekel they must add the premium  and they are exempt from the animal tithe.  If they are not true partners but their inheritance continues to belong to their father, they must separate the animal tithe.

These details regarding monetary obligations are important to understand because they change according to context.  In these mishnayot, we can see evidence of the rabbis' efforts to do what is just and fair toward all.




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